Fuming Coles shopper slams supermarket after she was forced to pay $75 for 500 plastic bags that she will “never use again”
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A Coles shopper has taken to social media to air her frustration over the store's strict delivery policy which forced her to pay $75 for 500 plastic bags that she will "never use again".
The Queensland mum claimed that she unwillingly spent 15 cents for each bag needed for her delivery after the supermarket retailer removed the "no bags" option on deliveries.
It should be noted that Coles discontinued the bagless option in 2020 as a measure to limit in-person interactions due to the health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the now-deleted post, the mum claimed that she used to opt for the "no bags" delivery option, explaining that she empties the crates of her shopping delivery on-the-spot upon drop off.
The mum also said that it is a hassle for her to do in-store shopping as she looks after her kids alone.
"Wish there was the option for no bags when getting groceries delivered," she wrote on Coles' Facebook page, along with a photo of 500 plastic bags that came with her delivery.
A fuming Queensland shopper said that she was forced to pay $75 for 500 plastic bags that she will never use again. Credit: Facebook.
A Coles spokesperson reached out to the mum and informed her that the bags were designed to be reused.
In a statement released by the supermarket, the company said that it is aiming to be Australia's most sustainable supermarket retailer.
"Our ambition is to become Australia's most sustainable supermarket and our Together to Zero strategy sets out ways in which we will reduce our impact on the environment across key sustainability areas including climate change, waste and hunger," the spokesperson said.
Additionally, Coles emphasised that the company has "red-cycling" options for the bags, noting that they are made from 80 per cent recycled plastic.
Coles removed the bagless option on deliveries to limit human contact due to the health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Coles.
However, the mum said that she would rather have access to the supermarket's buy-back program, insisting that she never reused the plastic bags that come with her delivery.
She also admitted that the "red-cycle" program frustrates her.
The fuming shopper asked: "Why do you make people pay for these bags then take them back for free?"
"We can't say no to them as we are charged for them. So they just sit here and build up."
Elsewhere in the post, the mum claimed that she also paid a delivery fee of $8.
It was also said that other customers have complained about the excessive use of plastic bags — that are usually "under packed" — in their deliveries.
While Coles did not comment on the possibility of bringing back the bagless option for its delivery services, the supermarket said that the option is still available for click and collect orders.
Do you think Coles should bring back the bagless option on deliveries? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!